Holiday Hours

"We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator

with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Happy Fourth of July!!!

We will be open !!

11 am to 4 pm

on

Saturday, July 4th

Have a safe holiday,

Cheri

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy.........

There is something about red, white and blue that screams summer for me. I love it, love it love it. Every flowerpot, wreath, door basket I own has flags in it for the duration of the season. (well, they often stay year round!) At least a week before the 4th, buntings go up outside, decorations are inside and on the deck for the BBQ and they stay up for a week or so after the holiday!!! Maybe it has something to do with being a military kid and all the pomp & circumstance that went with that. My dad was the Ops Manager of Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod when I was young and that era had a huge impact on me. I especially remember Senator John F. Kennedy flying into the base and the big deal it was to go see him!! I'm fond of beaches and lots of water, history and New England, period. And that's how I explain the sailboats, too!





I always try to come up with something a bit different for each season and when I really thought about July 4th, New England came to my mind. And sailboats. Lobster. Shells. The smell of the ocean. So I did what I could to reproduce those memories.

This is actually the second batch of my homemade sailboats/pond boats as the first group sold out during our Anniversary Brouhaha this past week end. I was happy that so many folks "got it"!! Now for others, the remembrance of America's birthday brings back other traditions and I encourage you all to play it up this year. Our country is somewhat "wounded" but the ideals are still in place.

Get the family together for a picnic in the park, watch fireworks, eat a huge slice of watermelon and make good memories for your children and grandchildren. I'm sure when I was young, there were problems with my country that I just plain wasn't aware of.

But I know, at the time, I was positive that I lived in the best country in the world. And most days, I still feel the same way.

Have a fabulous summer!!!

Take care-

Cheri

Changing of the Seasons

This well could be the toughest time of the year for good goods. Really! Vacations start, kids are out of school and require entertaining and transport to different activities, out of town trips, gardening takes top billing--generally, schedules are out of whack!!! I'm in my 13th year of retail ownership and this has happened every summer, in Denver and now in Boise, so it's not like it isn't worked into the "plan". I just don't like this part of the plan!! So, I thought I'd post a few things that I have been working on and then I'll go work on several things that have been swirling around in my brain. Garden things.



Now, I had one of these old stamp holders hanging around and I didn't know just what to do with it. Then I saw that Elizabeth had turned hers into a spice rack in her new kitchen. Ah ha!! Her incredible $500 kitchen redo and spice rack can be ogled here !!




I meant to put in a picture of our finch nest (baby finches in the honeysuckle almost at our front door!!), but somehow....I'm still recovering from being at the shop, fluffing, too late the other night!!

Must run create something that doesn't involve power tools. Oh!! Keep an eye out for details on our "Third Anniversary Brouhaha" coming up on June 20th.

Take care-

Cheri

About Kiva

I've recently come across an amazing site called "Kiva" that I wanted to tell you all about.

Kiva is a non profit organization that accepts "micro-loans" and distributes this money to help the working poor throughout the world. And I mean "micro"!! The most you can loan any one person is $25 and you choose the person.

These are business loans for amazingly poor entrepenuers to expand their ventures. The loans are repaid, and when you get your money back you can cash out or lend to another business person. I encourage you to go here to get the information for yourself and see the photographs of these fasinating people that are bucking the odds in extremely poor conditions.

I like the idea of fighting poverty by giving people a way out rather than just a hand out.

Plus, it's humbling. I've been lamenting my old stove again...... Judas Priest............

Yummmmm!!

Some customers that had loved the lemon bars at our last "Sip & Shop" asked for the recipe and I said I'd post if for them. So here it is!!

Lemon Bars

Preheat oven to 350

Mix together:

1 cup flour

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

And:

1/2 cup melted butter

Press the mixture into an 8 x 8 greased baking pan & bake 20 minutes. Meanwhile combine:

1 cup sugar

2 slightly beaten eggs

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1/2 cup flaked coconut

Pour these ingredients over the baked warm crust and bake 25 minutes. Chill. Sprinkle w/ confectioners' sugar and cut into squares.

I've been making these for years and credit my huge popularity to these tart little pieces of heaven. Enjoy!!

XXOO

Cheri

Road Construction Blues...

Road construction-every business owners nightmare!! If you were on Glenwood, State Street, or Chinden last weekend, you've probably sworn off that route forever!! Which is a good opening to thank everyone that braved that mess to come by our "Sip & Shop" last weekend. We had a wonderful turnout!!! Bless your hearts!

Update: Traffic has been moving just fine this week. Most of the work is being done after 7 pm and they have really been making progress. Considering how irritated I was about the whole situation a few days ago, I'm impressed! And relieved.......!

I'll continue to report on the progress so check back.
Take care-
Cheri

Let's see now...

Since there is a very special holiday coming up next weekend, we figured we better get some new things in....some have shown up, and as always, others haven't. So I am listening for the sound of the UPS or FedEx trucks pulling up to the back door every day...don't ya love the suspense???

Flat wallets. This is only a few of the styles.

Cute numbered pots.

I loved this old oil painting.

But here is the exciting news!!!!

Looks like we'll have baby ducks again this year! She (Martha II?) has been hanging around and begging for cat food (yes, I feed the scraggliest alley cat...). Do ducks really beg? Well, she shows up when I open the back door, walking sort of pigeon toed and looking...expectant? I fed-tried to feed-the two Mamas we had last year some wonderful seed "specially formulated" for wild ducks and they turned their little bills up at it. So, I checked on line and found out the cat food secret.

Then she gets her drink,

and off she heads. Ta ta!!

Take care and hope to see you at our "Sip & Shop" next Saturday, the 9th!!

Best,

Cheri